The Red Owl

As I was hopping on the train this afternoon, I was greeted by the incessant chattering of teenagers. I wasn’t too fazed by this as it’s school holidays, so I expect them to start appearing in my normally high-school free life. What I did have trouble understanding was how any of them actually felt they were participating in a conversation when each one of them had an earphone in their ears.

I may be stretching it a bit – linking fashion to what seems a comment (read: rant) on modern society, but the truth is that iPod’s and MP3 players have become a staple of our outfits and an added accessory to the clothes we wear every single day. Be they metallic in colouring, small and square, or long and rectangular, they are matched and coordinated to suit the colour of the moment.

I enjoy my music probably more than the average person. I even succumbed to the temptation of owning an iPod. A pink one at that (however, to retain some credibility, it was bought as a present by somebody else). Even though it has been well on two years since I discarded the iPod (I like to think I got out early before the crazy invasion), I don’t remember ever listening to music and trying to talk to my friends or family at the same time. Sure I shared my earphones, but it was purely for the purpose of also sharing a song.

I feel exactly the same way about mobile phones. I detest talking on the phone when in a crowded train. I always have it on silent and I will only use it when I really need it. I don’t care if you have an iPhone or the newest Nokia and I certainly don’t care how polyphonic your new ringtone is.

There seems to be a great disconnectedness in a world becoming smaller each and every moment by all the connectivity of technology. The last stranger I had a conversation with was an elderly gentlemen named Ken who politely asked to sit down next to me on the train before continuing on with questions about what I do and who I am.

Recent social experiments, such as the Washington Post’s ‘Pearls Before Breakfast’ article, show how jaded and self-oriented we have become in a time when we should be uniting to protest against racism, discrimination and illegal wars.

We truly are in state of apathy and disconnectedness if spell-check recognises words such as “iPod” and “Nokia”.

Do you remember your first ever uni friend?

Three years ago, I sat next to mine and surprisingly, we both still remember the day. We met as 18 year olds and I think it is a mutual understanding that we will remain friends for a long time. It does not seem like there is any other way to go about it. Even though we are not in contact every day, we have a friendship that doesn’t sour after weeks go by without a word.

A few weeks ago, my special uni friend celebrated her 21st birthday in anything but style. She decided to make the theme of her party “Anything But Clothes”. I was a little lax about it - opting for the safe option of a garbage bag dress. However, my special friend is a clever and creative creature and I think you will understand why I am dedicating this blog to her.

Instead of going for the safe option, my special friend went all out and actually made a dress… out of train tickets. She glued hundreds of train tickets she had collected over the last few years on a slip-dress. The layout of the tickets was such that it looked like a fringe dress from the 1920s. It was the single, most amazing article of clothing (that was not actual clothing) I had seen in a long, long time - if ever.

I am stealing this photo from her, with her permission, for all of you to see. Please tell me you agree?! 

I wandered into a Sportsgirl store the other day. I did this primarily for two reasons:

1. To get out of another store quicker;
2. To remind myself why I had stopped going there in the first place.

I realised how much more I prefer the quaint little shops tucked away in the corner with only one sales assistant and a couple of vaguely interested shoppers passing by and browsing.

The bright lights astounded me. The loud music frustrated me. The people crowded me. And the clothes scared me… (Let me remind you that I am only 21 and not an old, cold-hearted spinster).

(All photos are courtesy of Sportsgirl)

I haven’t been giving recent trends a lot of attention lately. I think the mass media has distracted me with their current affairs reporting and has made me channel all my ranting towards class discussions and political talk time at home. But I couldn’t ignore the pink elephant in Sportsgirl this time around.

I have never been the greatest fan of long skirts. Depending on the cut, shape and design it is possible for me to be persuaded to give them a go. At the present moment however, I will probably take a backseat during spring and not wear long, billowy, bohemian, tye-dye skirts. Call me a sceptic, call me a cynic, but I don’t see this trend lasting long. It’s a very specific look that is easy to tire of. I see it as the fashion worlds “courageous” break against the high-waisted skirts of last winter. It can be classified in a similar vein to the also recent push for high-waisted, flared denim jeans as a reaction against the dominance of low-waisted, skinny jeans.

Despite all my criticism, I will remain open-minded and very humbly accept any advice/commentary contrary to what I have said. I would especially like some ideas on how to make this bizarre piece of apparel work if I was to find myself in the possession of one. So please, help me out in understanding another mind-boggling trend if you can!

I like quirks.

I think quirks are fun. I like the idea of something, whether it is behavioural or physical, being peculiar to someone. It distinguishes that person from everybody else.

I also think it is possible to have quirks in fashion. I am not sure I would be able to describe a fashion quirk, but I am adamant they exist. And surprising, I am claiming my first fashion quirk — whether you agree or not!

Recently, I started stealing my mama’s silk scarves and using them to add a splash colour to my work outfits. For some reason, I feel really special when I tie the scarf in a bow around my neck. Sometimes I twist it sideways, and sometimes I just let it dance at the front of my neck. I have no idea why I decided to start wearing the silk scarves. I have a feeling it might have been a subconscious reaction to all the current scarf wearing, and wanting to head in a slightly different direction but still achieve the desired effect.

I’m not sure if it works though. What do you think? I have worn one in my last outfit and in today’s outfit. While on the topic of quirks, do you have you would like to claim as your own?

On a sidenote, I also have a very loving relationship with all kinds of stockings. The ones pictured are probably my favourite pair at the moment. I wish I had bought more than one pair of them. And to think I bought them on sale!!

I planned out a pretend holiday the other day.

I organised all my dates, flights, destinations and estimated the amount of spending money I would need. I believe it was the most effective way I could have spent a couple of hours. I am so excited by the prospect of this pretend holiday that I hope someone (read: me) will actually book everything and just jet off. Overseas. For a mere $3000 (all expenses included).

Clearly, I am having one of those ridiculous weeks  where I want to throw all my responsibilities out the window and start afresh. As a result, I dressed a little haphazardly to work on Tuesday. However, I did get to experiment with a red, high-waisted skirt which a most lovely friend of mine, Kiara, bought for me whilst she was out op-shopping. I was so unbelievably touched by her gesture. It was one of those moments where you realise just how the littlest things can mean so much.

So, thank you Kiara, for the small bundled parcel hiding the magical surprise. I hope I did the skirt some justice.

I honestly believe that a t-shirt can take you a long way sometimes. So I remained true to my word and took photos of the second shirt I bought from Graniph.

Whilst the other t-shirt had a very simple design on it, there is no better word besides ‘onslaught’ to describe the amount of pandas that gathered on this crisp, white t-shirt and then proceeded to attack it.

The most delightful thing about this shirt is that the little pandas are also featured on the back of the t-shirt trying to climb up my left shoulder.

And lastly, there is one lonesome panda that has fallen sleep in the back bottom right hand side of the shirt.

To me, these pandas are like the pets I never had.

 I have two new additions to my wardrobe.

They’re not glitzy, and they’re not glamorous. They are simple t-shirts to wear casually.

I have a few of these t-shirts which I am proud to wear. They each have a unique design and most are purchased from market stalls, over the internet, or design t-shirt shops. Some may grow outdated, but most seem to age gracefully.

The new t-shirts I bought are from a shop called Graniph. I discovered Graniph when I was in Tokyo last year. It is a design t-shirt store that started out in Japan which recruits artists/graphic designers from around the world to make limited edition designs for their shop. These designs are printed onto different coloured t-shirts and sold for a very reasonable price. In Japan, one t-shirt costs about 24-28Yen. In Sydney, it is $35-$40 depending on if you buy one or two.

I found out earlier this year that Graniph was opening up a store in The Galleries Victoria, Sydney. It wasn’t until last Thursday night that I actually went specifically looking for the store. Up until then, my countless vists to the TGV were always spent in one shop - Kinokuniya, but that’s another story altogether.

I was so pleased with my purchases that I took a couple of photos (finally more photos!!) to show off one of the t-shirts I bought. The other t-shirt will be unveiled in another post…

This is what I wore to uni today (minus a cardigan, jacket and shoes because it was mighty cold outside - check out my purple socks, they’re my favourite!).

A close-up of the design on the t-shirt. It’s really simple but I love it. My first impression was that they were owls but upon further investigation I think the Swedish designer meant for them to be little monsters. Either way, they’re my new best friends.

During my unusually long hiatus, which I will provide no explanation for as that is what mysterious, ultra chic and cool people do (unlike those dedicated and committed people who do not go a day without blogging…), I focused all my energy on shoes.*

As a result, I am the proud owner of two wonderful pairs of shoes by designers. While I do not normally (read: never) buy shoes and apparel because of the label (read: designer) I feel like gloating about my new possessions.

The first pair of shoes came to me unexpectedly - literally. They arrived at my residence in a parcel delivered by a courier. I had not bought anything online so I was puzzled about the package. As it turned out, my jet-setting brother had taken heed of my cries for lots and lots of gifts from Japan and bought me a pair of sandals by Giuseppe Zanotti.

To be honest, I had no idea who on earth this Italian was, but after some serious internet searching I felt compelled to puff out my chest with pride and fluff up my feathers for all to see.

While the weather is not quite right in Sydney at the moment to wear “toe ring” sandals (decorated with Swarovski crystals of course), I cannot wait to prance around in these when the summer months arrive. And just for the record, my sandals are a blue/turquoise colour.

My second pair of shoes are ones that I have been anticipating greatly for a couple of months. I only just bought them on Saturday so they are still sitting pretty in their box smelling like bubblegum!

Yes, that is a bit of a give away because these shoes are renowned for their bubblegum smell. Anyway, to cut a one-sided conversation (with myself) short, I managed to get my little paws on the new Melissa shoes designed by Vivienne Westwood (who, some may recall from previous posts, I secretly adore).

I bought them in black because I thought I would get more wear out of them since I am a tall girl who rarely wears heels. And I just wish to confirm all those crazy rumours about how comfortable these shoes are (even though they are made out of PVC and synthetic) as being completely true - I was a sceptic at first too! And I need not mention the delicious bubblegum smell which is so yummy!

Anyway, now that I am a true and tried fashion victim I think I will end this entry before I commit any more faux pas.

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* This may or may not be a gross exaggeration of what I actually did with my time. It just so happens that sometimes there are things which need to be sacrificed while I do other things.**

** This may or may not be related to time management skills. But let’s not speculate!

I have spotted it, and now I want it.

Somebody show me the way to the red, high-waisted skirt because, I think, we would go great together.

Take a look at Bestie’s skirt from her Capricious Club blog, and Ramaida’s one from her flickr page nemrešpobje?odnedjelje.

If anybody is interested, I can actually translate nemrešpobje?odnedjelje for you.. hehe. The joys of being bilingual !

I love trawling through the internet and looking at what other people are wearing. It’s inspiring. In all honesty, if I spent as much time in second-hand clothes shops as I did on the world wide web, I’d probably have a real reason to blog. Unlike the poor excuse I offer, which is because I’m “interested” in fashion. Pfft. Who am I kidding ?! Words can only get you so far (lucky I’m studying journalism then !) whereas lovely pictures like these can get you an international audience…

The girl in those photos is Bestie, from the Philippines, whose style I really like. You can have a look at her blog here. While there are many who are more established in the blogosphere then she is, it is always good to see a fresh face mixing things up.